I have a “simple” idea for my Christmas tree layout this year. [G]
I want to create a simple oval within an oval. Now for the tricky part. I want to run two trains. When a train is on the outer oval and coming to the switch which allows the interior oval to enter the outer loop I want the inner train to stop and wait for the outer train to pass.
I will have digitrax loconet and a computer interface.
I am comfortable with a computer (I work in IT) but have not used loconet with a computer and thought this would be a great project to learn alot. I understand this simple idea is a complex setup.
An infrared transistor and receiver across the inner loop could throw the turnouts and isolate the inner train in a dead stretch of track. The same thing could rethrow the turnouts where the outer train clears the crossing. Trains would need to be speed matched and of nearly the same length
If I understand it, it’s 2 ovals with a double crossover, and they want to have the trains automatically go from inner to outer loop, and vice versa. If, in fact, they wish the trains to swap tracks on each lap, in theory they wouldn’t even need activate the turnouts, just leave them set for diverging routes at all times. In this case, it mostly becomes a matter of stopping one train long enough for the other to clear the crossover.
If in fact, that be the case, If both trains are the same speed,you may not have to stop them at all. If you timed it right. Interesting!! Also just one power pack.